Michael Imperioli

For six seasons, Michael Imperioli was an explosive fixture on HBO's critically acclaimed Mafia chronicle "The Sopranos" (HBO, 1999-2007), earning five Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Sup...
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Former The Sopranos star Michael Imperioli has joined the cast of hit police series Hawaii Five-0. He'll play a reformed criminal with a passion for surfing in episodes slated to air in the U.S. next year (15).

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Rihanna and Eminem kicked off their joint tour in California on Thursday night (07Aug14), treating fans to a catalogue of their hits and a number of expletive-laden onstage collaborations.
The pair unveiled their Monster Tour at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, and they opened the first show with a pre-taped skit which showed the pop star visiting her rapper pal in prison and featured a cameo appearance from The Sopranos star Michael Imperioli as a guard.
Both stars thrilled the crowd with their hit singles, including Umbrella and The Real Slim Shady, and they teamed up for several new collaborations with Rihanna replacing Dido's vocals on Eminem's hit Stan.
The pair also covered Airplanes by B.o.B and Hayley Williams. The show ended with a rendition of the pair's hit collaboration Monster.

Former The Sopranos star Michael Imperioli is holding out hope for a spin-off version of the hit TV drama - because he really misses his castmates and series creator David Chase. The actor, who played Christopher Moltisanti for eight years on the show, accepts a get together will never be the same, following the death of James Gandolfini earlier this year (13) - but he'd still love to be part of any new series featuring his extended family of gangster characters.
He tells WENN, "I would love it if there was another Sopranos, just to work with the people that I worked with again. Doing that show was like walking out of your house and going to hang out on the corner with your friends. It was like that every day.
"I wouldn't be surprised if anything were to happen, like, if David took one of the minor characters and made a movie or a show from that. A character that maybe you wouldn't have paid any attention or thought of... and had a show about him - some kind of small town hood in witness protection... That would be in character with David."

Actress Elizabeth Olsen will not be sitting through the screening of her new movie Old Boy at its New York premiere on Monday night (11Nov13) because she has learned she is not a fan of watching herself on screen. The Martha Marcy May Marlene star will walk the red carpet with co-stars Michael Imperioli and Josh Brolin and director Spike Lee, but then she'll be heading home.
She tells WENN, "I haven't seen the film in its final form. I saw it in one of it's earlier versions before sound and colour correction, but I'm not gonna watch it tonight. It's the first time I'm at a premiere and not sitting through the movie.
"I learned in Toronto (at the film festival) that I really don't enjoy watching myself do those things in front of an audience. And I'm tired. I finished a seven-week run of a play yesterday and I really just want to go home after doing my business at the premiere."

The Sopranos creator David Chase paid a heartwarming tribute to late star James Gandolfini by writing his eulogy in the form of a letter to the tragic actor at his funeral in New York on Thursday (27Jun13). The executive producer remembered his friend as a man who never lost touch with his inner child as he addressed mourners at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, but admitted it was the sadness behind his eyes which helped him to bring his most famous character, mob boss Tony Soprano, to life on the small screen.
He said, "You were a good boy... A sad boy, amazed and confused. You could see it in your eyes. That's why I think you were such a great actor, because of that boy inside.
"I think your talent is that you can take the immensity of humankind and the universe and shine it right back at us."
Gandolfini's widow, Deborah Lin, the mother of his nine-month-old daughter Lily, also spoke at the service, telling the congregation, "My husband was an honest, kind and loving man. He cared more about others than himself... Thank you for the memories of the beautiful life we spent together. I love you Jim, and I always will. Rest in peace."
A host of stars from the actor's TV family turned out for the memorial, such as his onscreen wife Edie Falco and daughter Jamie-Lynn Sigler, as well as Steve Buscemi, Steve Schirripa, Lorraine Bracco, Vincent Curatola, Joe Pantoliano, Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese, Aida Turturro, Michael Imperioli and Vincent Pastore, while other guests included Alec Baldwin and his heavily pregnant wife Hilaria, and Chris Christie, governor of Gandolfini's native New Jersey.
Gandolfini's sisters, Leta and Johanna, his son Michael, 13, and his ex-wife Marcy Wudarski were also in attendance for the 90-minute ceremony, which was led by Reverend James A. Kowalski.
Speaking before the funeral, Sirico expressed his sympathies for Gandolfini's baby girl having to grow up without her father, saying, "He's a great actor and he was a great guy... He's got a new baby. She'll grow up and have to be told who he was by her mum. It's sad."
And actor David Rasche, who appeared alongside Gandolfini in 2009 film In the Loop, added: "He was such a terrific guy and a terrific actor... He was a huge presence, huge... He was kind and loving and generous, but he was a really big presence; he really filled a role."
Gandolfini died of a heart attack in Rome, Italy last Wednesday (19Jun13) at the age of 51.

The Sopranos actors Edie Falco and Steve Buscemi are among the mourners who have gathered at a New York church to bid farewell to their tragic co-star James Gandolfini at his funeral on Thursday (27Jun13). Other members of his TV family, including Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese and Aida Turturro, were also photographed arriving at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, while pal Alec Baldwin and Chris Christie, governor of Gandolfini's native New Jersey, were in attendance too.
Members of the public wanting to pay their respects to the late actor were allowed to take seats in the church after the invited guests had arrived.
The service, led by Reverend James A. Kowalski, is expected to last 90 minutes and will feature eulogies from David Chase, the creator of the hit mob drama, Gandolfini's widow Deborah Lin, and two family friends.
The funeral is being filmed by bosses at cable channel HBO, which aired The Sopranos, for a special family video, and network executives are believed to have also covered the costs of the ceremony.
Gandolfini died of a heart attack in Rome, Italy last Wednesday (19Jun13) at the age of 51.

The Sopranos star Steve Schirripa has added his tribute to those that have poured in for actor James Gandolfini, revealing he once benefited financially when his generous pal received a pay rise. Recalling Gandolfini's big heart in a New York Post article on Friday (21Jun13), Schirripa, who played Bobby Baccalieri in the hit U.S. TV series, detailed his fondest memories with the actor and revealed he personally cut the show's leading stars massive cheques after he received a bonus.
He writes, "I worked with him quite a bit, especially toward the end of the series, and we were all very good friends. He was a really generous guy. Jim had a bit of a contract dispute on Season 4, and when the season started, he called each of us into his trailer and gave 15 or 16 of us $33,333 a piece, and all he said was, 'Thanks for sticking by me.'
"There are a lot of TV stars who made a lot more money than Jim who never did that... He always cared about the other guy."
Gandolfini suffered a heart attack and died in Italy on Wednesday (19Jun13).
His The Sopranos castmates Steven Van Zandt, Edie Falco and Michael Imperioli and series creator David Chase are among those who have already paid tribute to the late star.

The Sopranos stars James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa's new family movie Nicky Deuce has come under fire for allegedly perpetuating negative stereotypes about Italian Americans. The Nickelodeon film, about an Italian American teenager who turns to gang-related activities to impress his friends, is set to premiere in the U.S. on Monday (27May13), and bosses at the Italian American One Voice Coalition are urging parents to boycott the movie, claiming the project is racist and damaging to their heritage.
Group president Manny Alfano says, "These trash-television purveyors now want to brainwash a new generation with this insidious and hurtful stereotype of Italian Americans. We are appealing to all parents - please, don't let your children watch this garbage.
"It is beyond reprehensible that a children's network like Nickelodeon would so grossly abdicate any semblance of corporate responsibility and target young children with a racist, stereotypical movie on Italian Americans."
The film stars former iCarly regular Noah Munck.

Sopranos Alum Joins Californication: You heard us right — Californication is still on! Not only that, but Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos fame has joined the show's seventh season in a recurring role. Imperioli, who played Christopher on the legendary HBO mob series, will play Rick Rath, an "old school" television producer who is a key player in Hank's next venture. [Deadline]
Cee-Lo Who? Christina Who?: The Voice's vacationing judges might have something to worry about — despite being up against the NCAA finals last night, the competition show drew in 13.7 million viewers and a 4.9 in the demo, marking a spring cycle high. The critical response for newcomers Shakira and Usher has been very positive as well, leaving NBC with an interesting debacle on their hands... [TVLine]
Game of Thrones Beauty Leaves Westeros: Just kidding, she'll be back. But we love Natalie Dormer as the firey Margaery Tyrell so much that we're thrilled to hear that she's joining CBS' Elementary for a multi-episode arc. The English beauty will play Irene Adler, a revered character from the Sherlock Holmes stories, who has been murdered in this iteration of the classic tale. Her death sent Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) into a drug-fueled downward spiral... so, we're guessing this arc will be flashback-oriented. She'll first appear Thursday, May 9. [TVGuide]
Lost Alum Walks Into the Fire: Tania Raymonde, who played Ben Linus' ill-fated daughter on Lost, has been cast in the proposed spinoff for NBC's hit Chicago Fire. She'll join the show's current cast for their first season finale, which will serve as a backdoor pilot of sorts. No word yet on which CF hunks will head over for the spinoff, but Jon Seda's Chicago PD Detective Antonio Dawson seems likely. [Deadline]
Aly Michalka Now Dateable: Aly Michalka just exited the NBC pilot Undebateable, and she's already been replaced by Briga Heelan. The multi-camera comedy pilot is described as a bromantic comedy about Danny (Chris D’Elia) and Justin (Brent Morin) — two very different guys bonded by their common inability to attract women. Heelan will play Maddie, a waitress in Justin’s (Morin) bar who is endlessly attracted to jerks and bad pickup lines and might have a sweet spot for Justin. [Deadline]
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FOB Heads to 90210: Fall Out Boy – who recently announced a comeback album/tour after a three year break – is set to perform on 90210 for an episode slated for April 29. The performance will be a part of a big concert event on the CW drama. The band will perform their new single, "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)," off their sixth studio album, Save Rock and Roll, which hits stores worldwide on May 6, 2013. [E!]
Pilot Castings Galore: The CW cast Arrow's Stephen Amell's cousin Robbie Amell as the lead in The Tomorrow People, the drama pilot from Arrow boss Greg Berlanti and The Vampire Diaries EP Julie Plec based on the 1970s UK series. [TVLine] Nicole Beharie landed the lead in Sleepy Hollow, Fox's drama pilot. The modern-day supernatural thriller is based on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Daniel Stern has been cast in NBC's single-camera comedy pilot Girlfriend In a Coma as the father of the titular woman who wakes up from a coma to discover she has a 17-year-old daughter (Miranda Cosgrove). [Deadline] Joey McIntyre and Jessica Chaffin have been cast in CBS/Sony TV single-camera comedy pilot The McCarthys. Directed by Fred Savage, the comedy revolves around an Irish-Catholic, sports-crazed Boston clan and the gay son whose greatest sin is not his sexuality but his desire to spend less time with his family. The CW is bringing back another member from the original cast of The Selection. Australian actress Peta Sergeant has been added to the retooled pilot, reprising her role as Gaia, a rebel leader who is working to overthrow the monarchy. Sean Patrick Thomas is also reprising his role. Set 300 years in the future, The Selection is an epic romance centering on a working class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the royal prince’s hand to become the nation’s next queen. [Deadline] Veronica Mars alum Ryan Hansen has signed on to CBS’ Bad Teacher, the single-camera comedy based on the 2011 Cameron Diaz movie about a sexy, foul-mouthed divorcee who becomes a teacher to find her next husband. Hansen will play Joel, the shorts-sporting athletic coach at Nixon Middle School. [TVLine] Mira Sorvino landed a starring role opposite Jim Gaffigan in his CBS comedy pilot. Written by Gaffigan and Peter Tolan, the project centers on Jim (Gaffigan) a guy who lives with his wife Jeannie (Sorvino) and five kids in a 2-bedroom New York apartment. Sorvino’s Jeannie is a super-wife and super-mom. [Deadline]
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Dwight Gets a Nemesis: Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli has been cast as a nemesis for The Office’s Dwight. He will play Sensei Billy, the karate instructor who's about ready to commit hara-kiri over Dwight’s inimitable "presence" in his dojo. Imperioli’s episode is slated to air in the spring. [TVLine]
Entourage Lady Heads to The Newsroom: Entourage’s Constance Zimmer has just been cast to recur on Aaron Sorkin's drama The Newsroom. On the upcoming Season 2, which reflects on the recent presidential campaign, Zimmer will play Taylor, a press spokesperson for the Mitt Romney campaign. [Deadline]
VH1 Picks Up 3 New Shows, Renews 1: VH1 has ordered three news shows for spring 2013: The Gossip Game, which follows ambitious women covering the urban entertainment beat; I’m Married To A…, a documentary series that examines some unusual couples in love; and 100 Sexiest Artists, a five-part countdown special. The network has also has picked up a third season of T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle, featuring rapper T.I. "Tip" Harris, his wife, entrepreneur and singer Tameka "Tiny" Harris, and their six children. [Deadline]
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Cast as Rosencrantz in Campbell Scott's adaptation of "Hamlet"; aired as miniseries in Odyssey TV before playing selected theatrical venues

Co-starred in comedy "My Baby's Daddy"

Summary

For six seasons, Michael Imperioli was an explosive fixture on HBO's critically acclaimed Mafia chronicle "The Sopranos" (HBO, 1999-2007), earning five Emmy nominations and one win for Outstanding Supporting Actor. Prior to making his mark on pop culture history with his finely drawn portrait of an Italian-American thug with suppressed artistic instincts, Imperioli was an active figure in the New York independent film scene of the 1990s. He was often seen in street-smart character roles for directors like Martin Scorsese, Hal Hartley and Spike Lee, with whom he also co-scripted and co-produced the crime feature, "Summer of Sam" (1999). Memorable for his ability to imbue a likeable quick wit into otherwise dark and dangerous characters, Imperioli also had significant talent off-camera, penning scripts for "The Sopranos," founding a New York theater company, and eventually writing and directing his own independent features.

Name

Role

Comments

Isabella

Step-Daughter

Born c. 1991; mother, Victoria Chlebowski

Victoria Chlebowski

Wife

Born c. 1964; Married in 1995; she had a daughter Isabella from a previous relationship

Education

"I got hooked up with some people who knew some of this world. It was in this weird place in the Bronx, this abandoned section of town. It wasn't really a crack house; it was sort of an outdoor situation. There was one point where I was alone with this guy in an airplane cargo box. We were in this thing together. He was paranoid as hell. He was like, 'Don't leave me.' It got a little bizarre." – Imperioli on researching for "Sweet Nothing," quoted in Time Out New York, Sept. 4-11, 1996

"I had one line: 'Hey I'm going to be a star,' but I was so scared, I couldn't get it out of my mouth." – Imperioli on his first screen appearance in "Lean on Me," quoted in People, Sept. 13, 1999

Affiliations

Co-founder of The Machine Full Theater Company with Lili Taylor and Tom Gilroy